I drove my GMC to Foard. (original) (raw)

I saw the sign that read "MARGARET 13," and turned north off US70W. Good thing I didn't yawn or I would have missed the sign that read "RAYLAND", right after the one for Foard County.

Foard County, Rayland TX wheat field on city limit

This stretch of the county had wheat fields on both sides of the road and I believe I saw a thresher, working in the distance to the south. I barely can tell ripe wheat from Wheat Chex.

Within 50 yards, I saw a warning sign (yellow and black diamond-shaped) for a 20 MPH dog-leg turn. Two noisy dogs had greeted me when I had gotten out to photograph the wheat fields, but their legs bore no resemblance to the one on the sign

Foard County Rayland TX Cotton Scales

RAYLANDhas a couple of vacant barn-like structures and a very interesting building that I photographed. Can anyone tell me what went on there? I counted no more than 6 or 8 inhabited residences in RAYLAND and 3 or 4 vacant ones; a total of 4 horses, one large, green tractor and a nice, sun-dappled lane to the south.

I saw a Roadrunner, but he was too quick for me to shoot � I mean, photograph. They usually don't hang around to get shot � I mean, photographed.

A snake slithered across the road safely. Traffic was not a problem, but that Roadrunner could ruin a snake's day for dang sure. Other than these critters, the horses, and a couple of well-kept lawns with flowers, I saw no signs of life in RAYLAND. Onward to MARGARET�

Foard County, Margaret TX, Pease River Battlefield Marker

Foard County, Margaret TX, Pease River Battlefield Marker text

Once again, had I yawned or blinked, I would have missed the sign the read "PEASE RIVER BATTLEFIELD". A quick turn north onto a deeply rutted red dirt (that's redundant out here � all the dirt is red) � this would be trouble after a rain � and a mile or so later, I read the marker about the recapture of Cynthia Ann Parker. See photo. Onward to MARGARETagain�

Old Margaret TX Centennial Marker

What? There was an OLD MARGARET? That is what the sign read, that I would have missed, if I had, well, you know� One more side trip, down another dirt road, another marker (this one explained how the town of MARGARETwas once named PEASE, but was changed to honor the first-born Anglo child, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Wesley � hey, it may have been THE Methodist, John Wesley, but didn't know he got this far west � see below) then onward to NEW MARGARET?

Foard County TX New Margaret Sign

Nope, the sign simply read "MARGARET". This stretch of Foard County is not in wheat, but the land was prepared for something to be planted.

I counted about a dozen inhabited residences in MARGARET, and only 3 vacant ones. I saw some agricultural equipment and an abandoned building or two. Bob White Quail were calling from the brush, and that's a rare treat in most parts of Texas these days. Dang Fire Ants and feral cats!

Two residents of MARGARET were espied � one gentleman waved to me from the door of his shed at the end of Florence Road.

Foard County TX, MargaretUnited Methodist Church Sign

I had seen what I noted as an abandoned church � no sign and very unkempt landscape. As I reached the western town limits (another sign for MARGARET), I beheld a sign for MARGARET UNITED METHODIST CHURCH and surmised that perhaps the groundskeeper was not in the habit of attending regularly.

Adios, Miss Wesley�